Read Easy: Organisation extends helping hand to those who cannot read

Read Easy with former Mayors Tom and Caroline Corbin (Image: Read Easy)

Read Easy was set up 18 months ago by Caroline Finch and Claire Potter and with 80 groups across the UK, the Read Easy organisation offers one-to-one fully confidential coaching. 

Read more: Salisbury artist calls for viewers to take a retrospective look at nature

Volunteer recruiter Ann Greaves said: “A lot of the people we have connected with so far are all different ages, some are in their 60s or 70s, and just never got to grips with it at school, or had undiagnosed dyslexia, some just hated school and left as soon as they could.”

“Often, people have coping strategies. They may say “I have forgotten my glasses so could you read me the menu?”

Read Easy uses the Shannon Trust learning material as it has a good phonics system.

Ann believes that it is good to give people another chance.

She said: “My reader has said to me several times, I am only just beginning to think what I might have been if I could have been able to read.”

Sessions last for just 30 minutes usually twice weekly and there is no judgement, just encouragement.

Read more: Best-selling author talks crime on the streets of Salisbury

Ann feels that sometimes people are vulnerable or have experienced knockbacks in life and this may make it less likely for people to come forward. People may feel a lack of confidence and life can be marginalised.

Anne said: "It is a really gentle introduction of putting sounds together and the material is written for adults."

The service is completely confidential.

Read Easy is still looking for volunteers who are willing to be trained on the phonics system and for people to come forward if they know someone who might benefit from the free coaching. 

For more information, go to readeasy.org.uk